Duan Mingxi went to her grandfather to request a map of the capital. Such an item wasn’t available to just anyone, but her grandfather would surely have it.
The old man sent someone to retrieve the map and pointed to a chair for Mingxi to sit. Then he asked, “What do you need this for?”
Duan Mingxi replied, “I had my eye on an estate, but His Highness, the crown prince, snatched it away.”
Her grandfather froze. “What did you say?”
Mingxi smiled. “You heard correctly.”
The old man frowned deeply. “You mean the crown prince has his sights set on you?”
“Perhaps,” Mingxi said, unfazed. “If not now, then in the future. I’m just surprised that His Highness acted so directly.”
Her grandfather studied her calm and steady expression. Despite the situation, she remained unhurried, even coming to him for a map of the area around the capital. “What are you planning?”
“Oh, nothing much. I just think His Highness is a generous man. The owners of estates around the capital will surely be grateful for his magnanimity.”
Grandfather: …
“And if you provoke the crown prince? What good will it do you?”
“If I back down now, will the crown prince spare me?”
The two locked eyes. Her grandfather felt a heaviness in his heart but eventually said slowly, “Mingxi, you must understand that our family is like a boat that can’t weather rough waves. We can’t withstand your antics.”
“Whether I act or not, our noble title has reached its end. Isn’t it better to take a chance? Don’t you think so?”
The old man frowned but said nothing.
Duan Mingxi remained unhurried. Soon, the map was delivered. She accepted it, spread it open, and examined the estates around the capital.
The hot spring estate she had her eye on had already been taken by the crown prince. Among the remaining estates with hot springs, there was only one left, located in the western outskirts—farther away and less ideally situated than the one she originally wanted.
Still, she had no other choice.
No matter what, she had to acquire it.
Seeing her focus on the map, her grandfather asked, “Why do you insist on an estate with a hot spring? What are you planning?”
“It concerns Second Uncle’s career. Do you think that’s important?”
“What does this have to do with your second uncle?”
“It’s not something I can discuss now since it’s not finalized. If it doesn’t work out, wouldn’t I just disappoint you?” Mingxi replied without looking up. “But as long as I get the estate, I’m 80% confident.”
After some thought, her grandfather said, “I’ll handle this. Now that the crown prince has his eyes on you, any move you make might just get snatched away again.”
Mingxi smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you, Grandfather. Don’t worry—when this works out, Second Uncle will surely be grateful to you.”
The old man couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. “80% confidence is quite a lot. Since you have a plan, go ahead with it. I’ll back you up. Even though our family has declined, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. We’re not entirely powerless.”
“With your support, I feel much more confident.”
Her grandfather huffed. This granddaughter of his not only had bold ideas but the guts to carry them out. Even without his help, she would have gone ahead.
He might as well lend a hand to steer things in the right direction.
“And once you’ve acquired the estate?” the old man asked.
“Second Uncle has someone named You Sanping by his side. I’ll have him handle the rest. I brought him here from Jiangcheng—he’s quite capable. Just wait and see.” Mingxi smiled as she stood up.
Her grandfather was surprised. “You even brought someone in for your second uncle?”
“As the saying goes, even the best need good helpers. Of course, Second Uncle needs competent people around him,” Mingxi replied. “If you have no other instructions, Grandfather, I’ll take my leave.”
The old man waved her off, exasperated. “Go, go.”
When a child isn’t outstanding, it’s a headache.
When a child is too outstanding, it’s an even bigger headache.
Her grandfather worked quickly. Within two days, the estate had been discreetly purchased.
Mingxi: …
During those two days, Li Quan had intentionally acted impatient about buying an estate, dragging Gao Zhan and others along to purchase three more estates.
Satisfied, Mingxi told Li Quan, “Don’t go out for the time being, or someone might ambush you.”
Li Quan suddenly felt a chill. “Miss, don’t worry. I promise to stay home and focus on my duties.”
Mingxi nodded. “You’re familiar with You Sanping, right? Go assist him. He probably needs more hands right now.”
“Brother You San is in the capital?” Li Quan was shocked.
To bring in Brother You San—what was she planning?
Mingxi nodded. “Learn from him well. If you don’t, I’ll have Uncle Li send you back to Jiangcheng.”
Li Quan: …
The fear You Sanping had instilled in him years ago came rushing back!
“I’ll go right away! Don’t worry, Miss—I’ll learn diligently.”
Mingxi looked at him and said seriously, “I’m planning to marry into a prince’s household in the future. I’ll need a capable steward by my side. Li Quan, a steward must have real skills. If you can’t handle the job, you’ll only be a runner.”
Li Quan hadn’t expected her to say this. “Miss, I’m still so young—how can I be a steward?”
“Ability determines rank. If you can do it, you’ll have the role.”
Li Quan’s heart raced as he declared, “Miss, I’ll definitely learn well from You Sanping.”
Mingxi smiled and nodded. “Good. I trust you.”
In her past life, despite their hardships, Li Quan had charged forward for her in the Duke’s household. In this life, she believed he wouldn’t let her down.
Even if he couldn’t rise to the occasion, it didn’t matter. A steward had their authority, and a runner had their pleasures.
In any case, she would treat well anyone who had once risked everything to protect her.
That very night, Li Quan brought a bottle of good wine to visit You Sanping.
You Sanping looked at him without surprise, ushering him inside. “Why are you here? Did the young miss send you?”
“Brother You San, you came to the capital without telling me! I could’ve hosted a proper welcome for you,” Li Quan said as he followed him into the courtyard, glancing around at the modest, cramped space. The sight made his heart ache.
Brother You San was a capable man in Jiangcheng, but now, in the capital, he could only live in such a humble place.
You Sanping’s clear eyes glanced at Li Quan. “We were bound to meet eventually; no need to rush.”
Li Quan placed the food box he had brought on the table, poured wine into cups, and looked at You Sanping with nervous determination. “Brother You San, the young lady instructed me to learn from you diligently.”
You Sanping paused with his wine cup mid-air. “The young lady told you to follow me?”
Li Quan nodded. “Recently, His Highness the Crown Prince intercepted the young miss’ plan to acquire a villa. Brother You San, have you heard about it?”
You Sanping’s expression sharpened. “Explain everything in detail.”
Brother You San didn’t know?
Li Quan froze for a moment, unsure whether he should say anything.
Facing You Sanping’s stern and austere expression, Li Quan obediently spilled everything, like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube.
Since the young lady had instructed him to follow Brother San’s lead, there was no hiding it. Better to confess on his own initiative.
He cautiously observed You Sanping’s increasingly cold demeanor, his heart thumping wildly. “Brother San, the young lady has already retaliated against His Highness the Crown Prince. We didn’t lose out; it’s the Crown Prince who suffered a big loss. Please don’t be angry.”
You Sanping sat silently, his posture upright and composed, with deep, dark eyes and thin, pale lips. Though he didn’t make any overt moves, Li Quan didn’t even dare to breathe heavily out of fear.
